Barts Conservation in Action – Thursday 16 Jan 2025

Thirteen members of the Company joined the Master on a tour of Barts Great Hall to see the conservation work in action. Tour guide Alison Knapp, a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Nurses, gave a fascinating tour exploring the rich history of the North Wing of St Bartholomew's Hospital; the architecture and people involved in the craftsmanship of the James Gibbs Great Hall.

Attired in boots and hard hats, the group had the opportunity to scale internal scaffolding to view up close and be within touching distance of the beautiful stucco ceiling. The painstaking and intricate conservation work is rescuing and rejuvenating this precious Grade 1 listed building, including the evocative staircase decorated by the notable local painter William Hogarth.

Wooden panels around the walls record the many benefactors dating back hundreds of years and make interesting reading. The famous stained glass charter window depicting Henry VIII is being renovated off site and will be the final piece to be reinstated.

Barts Heritage hope to conclude their renovations by the end of this year when it will be opening for tours to the public. It is a visit to be highly recommended and hopefully more groups from the Worshipful Company of Nurses will take this worthwhile opportunity.

Photographs from the tour can be seen in the Gallery via the Members login.